Timor-Leste visa and entry requirements

Timor-Leste's Migration Service says travellers of all nationalities, except those subject to separate visa waiver arrangements, may apply for and, if they satisfy the criteria, obtain a tourist visa on arrival, valid for 30 days' stay and extendable once for the same period; the fee is US$30, paid in US$ cash. It says the visa can be obtained at all official border posts, air, land or sea, that are open to foreign nationals and have a Migration Service presence. Schengen Area citizens travel visa-free for 90 days in any 180-day period (citizens of the United Kingdom and Ireland are not included), and citizens of Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore and Thailand are visa exempt for stays of up to 30 days for tourism purposes.

Every fact on this page verified on or after: Sep 26, 2026· How this site works

Check requirements for your passport

Requirements differ by nationality. Select your passport above, or scan the full table below.

Visas & entry authorisations

Tourist Visa on Arrival

Fee
30 USD
Processing
—
Stay per entry
30 days
Entries
single

The Migration Service says the visa fee on arrival must be paid in US$ cash and that EFTPOS and credit card facilities are not available.

Verified Oct 7, 2026 · migracao.gov.tl

Tourist Visa applied for prior to arrival

Fee
30 USD
Processing
—
Stay per entry
30 days
Entries
single

Applied for before arrival at an Embassy or Consulate of Timor-Leste abroad. The Migration Service says foreigners who have previously been refused entry, removed or excluded, or who have outstanding fines must obtain the visa before seeking entry; otherwise the visa may be obtained on arrival where the criteria for the visa are satisfied.

Verified Oct 7, 2026 · migracao.gov.tl

Extension of Stay

Fee
40 USD
Processing
up to 15 days
Stay per entry
30 days

Apply in person at the Migration Service Headquarters in Dili. In normal circumstances a tourist visa may be extended once only, for a further stay period of 30 days. Where the application is lodged more than 15 days before the current visa expires, the counting of that visa's validity is suspended.

Verified Oct 7, 2026 · migracao.gov.tl

Entry requirements

Passport validity

Timor-Leste's Migration Service says foreigners entering for tourism or transit must hold a travel document valid for at least six months, and its tourist visa page asks for a travel document valid for at least 6 months at the date of entry.

Verified Oct 3, 2026 · migracao.gov.tlCompare every country

Vaccinations

Not officially stated

No official source we read lists a vaccination certificate required for entry.

Travel insurance

Not officially stated

No official source we could read states a travel insurance requirement for entry to Timor-Leste. The UK Foreign Office says medical services are limited, particularly outside Dili, and that in a medical emergency it's likely you'll need to be evacuated to Australia or Singapore.

Verified Oct 3, 2026 · migracao.gov.tl · official portal

Onward or return ticket

Not officially stated

No official source we could read states that every visitor must hold an onward ticket. The Migration Service says visa-on-arrival applicants must present, if requested, evidence of departure arrangements such as an onwards transportation ticket or booking, and lists it among the documents for a tourist visa applied for at an embassy or consulate.

Verified Oct 3, 2026 · migracao.gov.tl

Proof of funds

Required

Timor-Leste's Migration Service says foreigners must have access to funds and accommodation sufficient for sustenance whilst in the country, whatever the visa, permit or exemption used to enter. For entrants on a Tourist, Transit or Business Class 1 visa, unless sponsored by family or another contact in the country, the funds required are US$100 for each entry and US$50 for each day's stay.

Verified Oct 3, 2026 · migracao.gov.tl

Arrival cards & declarations

Required
  • Arrival and departure declaration (Customs Trade Single Window) — The Migration Service says all travellers must complete and submit an official declaration online prior to entry or departure. It is collected via the Customs Authority Trade Single Window and satisfies the requirements of the Migration Service, the Customs Authority, the National Directorate of Quarantine and Biosecurity, the Ministry of Health and the Central Bank. It can be submitted up to three days before travel; keep a screenshot of the QR code or a printout of the PDF and show it to border officials on arrival. (up to 3 days before travel) tilesw.customs.gov.tl
Verified Oct 3, 2026 · migracao.gov.tlCompare every country

Staying past your permitted stay

Fine: 150 to 580 USD

A foreigner who exceeds the authorised period of stay is fined USD 150–230 if the overstay is up to 30 days, USD 230–350 if over 30 and up to 90 days, and USD 350–580 if over 90 days.

Verified Oct 12, 2026 · mj.gov.tl · Lei n.º 11/2017 (Lei de Migração e Asilo)Compare every country

Customs & currency

The customs e-Passenger Declaration asks whether you have more than US$5,000 or the equivalent in other currencies; if you do, you must declare the exact amount to Customs. If you have more than US$20,000 or the equivalent, you must also produce the Central Bank of Timor-Leste's authorisation form to import that amount.

  • The UK Foreign Office says there are strict rules about goods you can take into or out of Timor-Leste, and you must declare anything that may be prohibited or subject to tax or duty.
  • Timor-Leste Customs' e-Passenger Declaration asks whether you have more than 200 sticks of cigarettes or 200 grams of other tobacco, more than 2.5 litres of alcoholic beverages, goods obtained overseas worth more than US$300, goods or samples for commercial use, any prohibited or dangerous goods, narcotic goods, ammunition or weapons of any kind including knives, and any food, plants or plant products including wood, live animals or animal products, seafood, live fish, animal feed, biological specimens, fertiliser, soil, vaccines, medicines and traditional medicine.
Verified Oct 7, 2026 · tilesw.customs.gov.tl · official portal · gov.uk says Central Bank authorisation for cash or travellers cheques worth USD 20,000 or more, obtained before you arrive

Country in a nutshell

Currency
United States dollar (USD, $)
Cards & payments
The Government of Canada says the economy is primarily cash based, that credit cards are not widely accepted, and that there are ATMs in Dili but they can charge high fees and are often out of order. The UK Foreign Office says ATMs, banks and credit card facilities are not common outside municipal capitals, and to bring a few small (5 US dollar) notes as larger denomination notes can be difficult to spend.
Safety — Exercise caution
Australia advises a high degree of caution in Timor-Leste due to the threat of crime and limited healthcare options. It says local unrest occurs, including street gang fighting and political demonstrations, and that minor disputes can become violent; the UK says to avoid any demonstrations and large crowds. Australia says many taxis are in poor condition, that flooding and landslides in the wet season can damage roads, and that crocodile attacks are reported in the eastern districts and along the southern coast, with crocodiles seen on beaches and inland waterways, including in Dili.Verified Oct 3, 2026 · smartraveller.gov.au
Power plugs
C, E, F, I · 220V 50Hz
Emergency numbers
Police: 112 · Ambulance: 110 · Fire: 115
Languages
Tetum, Portuguese
Time zone
UTC+9
Driving side
left
International Driving Permit

Timor-Leste's Road Code (Decree-Law No. 6/2003, art. 119), published on the Government of Timor-Leste website, says that, besides the licences referred to in articles 117 and 118, driving licences issued by other foreign States and international driving licences also entitle the holder to drive motor vehicles. Article 75 prohibits driving under the influence of alcohol and says a driver with a blood alcohol level above 0.5 g/l is considered to be under the influence. No official source we could read states for how long a visitor may drive on a foreign licence.

Verified Oct 10, 2026 · timor-leste.gov.tl · Decreto-Lei n.º 6/2003 Compare every country
Tap water
not for drinking. Use bottled

Best time to visit

The UK Foreign Office says the rainy season in Timor-Leste normally runs from November to April, that heavy rains can cause flash flooding and landslides, and that main mountain roads can become impassable, particularly during the rainy season. The Government of Canada says the rainy (or monsoon) season extends from December to April.

Tips & warnings

The UK Foreign Office says the visa costs 30 US dollars, payable only in cash. The Migration Service says EFTPOS and credit card facilities are not available and ATMs and currency exchange may not be, so have the correct amount in US$ cash when you arrive.

For the overland crossing from Indonesia at Atambua-Batugade, the UK Foreign Office says you can purchase a visa on entry, and the Migration Service says the tourist visa can be obtained at land border posts that are open to foreign nationals and have a Migration Service presence. Australia's travel advice says that if you enter by land from West Timor (Indonesia), you'll need to get a visa before arrival.

The UK Foreign Office says roads are generally in poor condition, that main routes are often single-track mountain roads which can deteriorate quickly and become impassable, particularly during the rainy season, and that outside Dili you should travel in convoy whenever possible. It says that if you hire a car it's likely you'll have to hire a driver as well.

The UK Foreign Office lists health risks in Timor-Leste including rabies (Oecusse exclave, Bobonaro and Covalima municipalities, and possibly elsewhere), chikungunya, dengue, gastroenteritis, typhoid, hepatitis and tuberculosis. It says medical services are limited, particularly outside Dili, and that in a medical emergency it's likely you'll need to be evacuated to Australia or Singapore.

Visa requirements by nationality

PassportsVisas & entry authorisationsMax stay
AfghanistanVisa on arrival30 days
AlbaniaVisa on arrival30 days
AlgeriaVisa on arrival30 days
AndorraVisa on arrival30 days
AngolaVisa on arrival30 days
Antigua and BarbudaVisa on arrival30 days
ArgentinaVisa on arrival30 days
ArmeniaVisa on arrival30 days
AustraliaVisa on arrival30 days
AustriaVisa-free90 days
AzerbaijanVisa on arrival30 days
BahamasVisa on arrival30 days
BahrainVisa on arrival30 days
BangladeshVisa on arrival30 days
BarbadosVisa on arrival30 days
BelarusVisa on arrival30 days
BelgiumVisa-free90 days
BelizeVisa on arrival30 days
BeninVisa on arrival30 days
BhutanVisa on arrival30 days
BoliviaVisa on arrival30 days
Bosnia and HerzegovinaVisa on arrival30 days
BotswanaVisa on arrival30 days
BrazilVisa on arrival30 days
BruneiVisa on arrival30 days
BulgariaVisa-free90 days
Burkina FasoVisa on arrival30 days
BurundiVisa on arrival30 days
Cabo VerdeVisa on arrival30 days
CambodiaVisa on arrival30 days
CameroonVisa on arrival30 days
CanadaVisa on arrival30 days
Central African RepublicVisa on arrival30 days
ChadVisa on arrival30 days
ChileVisa on arrival30 days
ChinaVisa on arrival30 days
ColombiaVisa on arrival30 days
ComorosVisa on arrival30 days
Costa RicaVisa on arrival30 days
Côte d'IvoireVisa on arrival30 days
CroatiaVisa-free90 days
CubaVisa on arrival30 days
CyprusVisa-free90 days
CzechiaVisa-free90 days
Democratic Republic of the CongoVisa on arrival30 days
DenmarkVisa-free90 days
DjiboutiVisa on arrival30 days
DominicaVisa on arrival30 days
Dominican RepublicVisa on arrival30 days
EcuadorVisa on arrival30 days
EgyptVisa on arrival30 days
El SalvadorVisa on arrival30 days
Equatorial GuineaVisa on arrival30 days
EritreaVisa on arrival30 days
EstoniaVisa-free90 days
EswatiniVisa on arrival30 days
EthiopiaVisa on arrival30 days
FijiVisa on arrival30 days
FinlandVisa-free90 days
FranceVisa-free90 days
GabonVisa on arrival30 days
GambiaVisa on arrival30 days
GeorgiaVisa on arrival30 days
GermanyVisa-free90 days
GhanaVisa on arrival30 days
GreeceVisa-free90 days
GrenadaVisa on arrival30 days
GuatemalaVisa on arrival30 days
GuineaVisa on arrival30 days
Guinea-BissauVisa on arrival30 days
GuyanaVisa on arrival30 days
HaitiVisa on arrival30 days
HondurasVisa on arrival30 days
Hong KongVisa on arrival30 days
HungaryVisa-free90 days
IcelandVisa-free90 days
IndiaVisa on arrival30 days
IndonesiaVisa-free30 days
IranVisa on arrival30 days
IraqVisa on arrival30 days
IrelandVisa on arrival30 days
IsraelVisa on arrival30 days
ItalyVisa-free90 days
JamaicaVisa on arrival30 days
JapanVisa on arrival30 days
JordanVisa on arrival30 days
KazakhstanVisa on arrival30 days
KenyaVisa on arrival30 days
KiribatiVisa on arrival30 days
KosovoVisa on arrival30 days
KuwaitVisa on arrival30 days
KyrgyzstanVisa on arrival30 days
LaosVisa on arrival30 days
LatviaVisa-free90 days
LebanonVisa on arrival30 days
LesothoVisa on arrival30 days
LiberiaVisa on arrival30 days
LibyaVisa on arrival30 days
LiechtensteinVisa-free90 days
LithuaniaVisa-free90 days
LuxembourgVisa-free90 days
MacauVisa on arrival30 days
MadagascarVisa on arrival30 days
MalawiVisa on arrival30 days
MalaysiaVisa-free30 days
MaldivesVisa on arrival30 days
MaliVisa on arrival30 days
MaltaVisa-free90 days
Marshall IslandsVisa on arrival30 days
MauritaniaVisa on arrival30 days
MauritiusVisa on arrival30 days
MexicoVisa on arrival30 days
MicronesiaVisa on arrival30 days
MoldovaVisa on arrival30 days
MonacoVisa on arrival30 days
MongoliaVisa on arrival30 days
MontenegroVisa on arrival30 days
MoroccoVisa on arrival30 days
MozambiqueVisa on arrival30 days
MyanmarVisa on arrival30 days
NamibiaVisa on arrival30 days
NauruVisa on arrival30 days
NepalVisa on arrival30 days
NetherlandsVisa-free90 days
New ZealandVisa on arrival30 days
NicaraguaVisa on arrival30 days
NigerVisa on arrival30 days
NigeriaVisa on arrival30 days
North KoreaVisa on arrival30 days
North MacedoniaVisa on arrival30 days
NorwayVisa-free90 days
OmanVisa on arrival30 days
PakistanVisa on arrival30 days
PalauVisa on arrival30 days
PalestineVisa on arrival30 days
PanamaVisa on arrival30 days
Papua New GuineaVisa on arrival30 days
ParaguayVisa on arrival30 days
PeruVisa on arrival30 days
PhilippinesVisa on arrival30 days
PolandVisa-free90 days
PortugalVisa-free90 days
QatarVisa on arrival30 days
Republic of the CongoVisa on arrival30 days
RomaniaVisa-free90 days
RussiaVisa on arrival30 days
RwandaVisa on arrival30 days
Saint Kitts and NevisVisa on arrival30 days
Saint LuciaVisa on arrival30 days
Saint Vincent and the GrenadinesVisa on arrival30 days
SamoaVisa on arrival30 days
San MarinoVisa on arrival30 days
São Tomé and PríncipeVisa on arrival30 days
Saudi ArabiaVisa on arrival30 days
SenegalVisa on arrival30 days
SerbiaVisa on arrival30 days
SeychellesVisa on arrival30 days
Sierra LeoneVisa on arrival30 days
SingaporeVisa-free30 days
SlovakiaVisa-free90 days
SloveniaVisa-free90 days
Solomon IslandsVisa on arrival30 days
SomaliaVisa on arrival30 days
South AfricaVisa on arrival30 days
South KoreaVisa on arrival30 days
South SudanVisa on arrival30 days
SpainVisa-free90 days
Sri LankaVisa on arrival30 days
SudanVisa on arrival30 days
SurinameVisa on arrival30 days
SwedenVisa-free90 days
SwitzerlandVisa-free90 days
SyriaVisa on arrival30 days
TaiwanVisa on arrival30 days
TajikistanVisa on arrival30 days
TanzaniaVisa on arrival30 days
ThailandVisa-free30 days
Timor-LesteFree movement—
TogoVisa on arrival30 days
TongaVisa on arrival30 days
Trinidad and TobagoVisa on arrival30 days
TunisiaVisa on arrival30 days
TurkeyVisa on arrival30 days
TurkmenistanVisa on arrival30 days
TuvaluVisa on arrival30 days
UgandaVisa on arrival30 days
UkraineVisa on arrival30 days
United Arab EmiratesVisa on arrival30 days
United KingdomVisa on arrival30 days
United StatesVisa on arrival30 days
UruguayVisa on arrival30 days
UzbekistanVisa on arrival30 days
VanuatuVisa on arrival30 days
Vatican CityVisa on arrival30 days
VenezuelaVisa on arrival30 days
VietnamVisa on arrival30 days
YemenVisa on arrival30 days
ZambiaVisa on arrival30 days
ZimbabweVisa on arrival30 days

Stay lengths are for ordinary tourist visits. Click a nationality for its full guide.

Indonesia20 of 199 passports visa-free · 94 eVisa/ETAPhilippines162 of 199 passports visa-free · 1 eVisa/ETAMalaysia168 of 199 passports visa-free · 29 eVisa/ETABrunei60 of 199 passports visa-free

Frequently asked questions

Do I need a visa for Timor-Leste?

Timor-Leste's Migration Service says travellers of all nationalities, except those subject to separate visa waiver arrangements, may apply for and, if they satisfy the criteria, obtain a tourist visa on arrival, valid for 30 days' stay; the fee is US$30. Foreigners who have previously been refused entry, removed or excluded, or who have outstanding fines, must obtain the visa before seeking entry. Schengen Area citizens travel visa-free for 90 days in any 180-day period (citizens of the United Kingdom and Ireland are not included), and citizens of Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore and Thailand are visa exempt for stays of up to 30 days for tourism purposes.

What do I need for the visa on arrival?

The Migration Service says that where the visa is applied for on arrival you must present an acceptable travel document valid for at least 6 months at the date of entry and a completed arrival declaration and, if requested, evidence of sufficient funds, of accommodation arrangements, and of departure arrangements such as an onward transportation ticket or booking. The fee is US$30, paid in US$ cash.

Can I extend my stay in Timor-Leste?

The Migration Service says that in normal circumstances the tourist visa may be extended once only, for a further stay period of 30 days. The fee is US$40, you apply in person at the Migration Service Headquarters in Dili, and processing takes up to 15 days. The UK Foreign Office says to apply, if possible, at least 15 days before the tourist visa's expiry date.

What currency does Timor-Leste use?

The US dollar, according to the Government of Canada, which also says the economy is primarily cash based, that many places will not accept bills issued prior to 2007, and that credit cards are not widely accepted. The UK Foreign Office says notes printed before 2009 are usually rejected but can be changed at the Central Bank in Dili.

Can I cross overland from Indonesia to Timor-Leste?

The Migration Service says the tourist visa can be obtained on arrival at all official border posts, air, land or sea, that are open to foreign nationals and have a Migration Service presence, and the UK Foreign Office says that if you enter through Indonesia at the Atambua-Batugade border crossing you can purchase a visa on entry. Australia's travel advice says that if you enter by land from West Timor (Indonesia), you'll need to get a visa before arrival.

Sources & verification

Every fact on this page is compiled from and periodically re-checked against these official sources:

Something wrong or out of date? Tell us, with the official source